Crouch: I'm no robot

It's a serious business now and I don’t think the manager would be too happy

Peter Crouch

Crouch’s comic goal celebration after scoring in friendlies against Hungary and Jamaica before the 2006 World Cup made him a cult figure among fans.

But the Portsmouth striker – who had a goal disallowed against Slovakia because skipper John Terry bundled the ball over the line from an offside position – admitted Capello might not see the funny side.

“A few of the lads asked me in the dressing-room if I was going to do it,” said Crouch.

“But it’s a serious business now and I don’t think the manager would be too happy.”

Crouch was not amused by the studs-up challenge from his former Liverpool team-mate Martin Skrtel which ended his participation in the 74th minute.

“I thought Skrtel was my mate, to be honest,” he said. “I went up with him, he kicked out at me and he gave me a dead leg.

“I think it was a little bit out of order. Maybe he didn’t have the best of days but that’s for other people to discuss.”

Skrtel said: “These things happen. I said sorry to him and he said ‘okay’.”